Foam and inflatable collar assemblies for watercraft

ABSTRACT

Alternative collar assemblies for use with watercraft including rigid-hulled boats are described. The collars may include both foam materials and one or more inflatable compartments, thereby offering multiple advantages over existing foam or inflatable collars. Optionally included in or on the collars are reinforcing material (such as but not limited to Kevlar) and an abrasion-resistant coating surrounding the foam and inflatable compartments. Similarly, compartments comprising the collar optionally may be nested.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to collars and associated components useful in conjunction with watercraft and more particularly to collars adapted to include both foam and inflatable compartments or, alternatively, multiple nested inflatable or foam compartments for, among other things, enhanced durability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,685 to Hemphill, et al., incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, illustrates and details various foam collars designed to be affixed to the external surfaces of boat hulls. These collars typically include laminates of closed-cell foams such as (but not necessarily limited to) cross-linked polyethylene-ethylene vinyl-acetate copolymers. Also disclosed in the Hemphill patent are reinforcement coatings (such as polyurethane), which may be adhered to the foam laminates for added abrasion resistance or strength.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,965 to Hansen, also incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, describes boats having foam members mounted to rigid hulls. The foam members are denominated “stabilizers” in the Hansen patent, since they purportedly “act as a running surface when a sharp turn is performed at high speed” in an associated boat. See Hansen, col. 2, 11. 38-39. Likewise, the foam members detailed in the Hansen patent supposedly enhance the righting moment of a hull by “contact[ing] and displac[ing] an increasing volume of water as the boat lists.” See id. at 11.59-61.

[0004] According to the Hansen patent, the stabilizing members disclosed therein:

[0005] can be formed of any suitable buoyant foam which can withstand the harsh environment encountered by a high speed watercraft including normal docking and moorage bumping. It is also advantageous that the stabilizing members be formed from a foam that does not absorb water and has some memory. In the preferred embodiment . . . , a closed cell polypropylene or polyethylene foam . . . is used to form the stabilizing members . . . .

[0006] . . . In order to increase damage tolerance, it may also be beneficial to coat or cover the exterior of the stabilizing members with a protective material, such as a rubber, liquid vinyl or some other plastic material.

[0007] Id. at col. 6, 11. 1-17. Such stabilizing members are expressly contrasted with inflatable tubes, with the latter decried as subject to undesired deflation and requiring availability of a pump. See id. at 11. 18-25. Additionally, although Kevlar is listed as a material from which the hull can be made, see id. at col. 3, 11. 28-29, as noted above only rubber, liquid vinyl, and “other plastic” material are recited as the substances from which a protective coat or cover for the members may be made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides alternative collar assemblies for use with watercraft including rigid-hulled boats. Unlike the foam members of the Hansen patent, the collars of the invention are not true “stabilizers” (although they arguably may add stability in certain situations). Instead, they function substantially as fenders, like the collars of the Hemphill patent.

[0009] Additionally unlike the stabilizers of the Hansen patent, many of the foam collars described herein include both foam materials and one or more inflatable compartments. They thus in some senses are composites, offering multiple advantages over existing collars by virtue of incorporating both inflatable material and foam. Yet further benefits may be obtained through use, consistent with the present invention, of reinforcing material (such as but not limited to Kevlar) and an abrasion-resistant coating surrounding the foam and inflatable compartments.

[0010] In some embodiments of the innovative collars, an elongated, inflatable bladder is positioned within and substantially circumscribed by a hollow foam tube. In turn, portions of the foam tube are covered by a sleeve-like reinforcing material and the material may be coated or covered with an abrasion-resistant layer. Thus, when the bladder is inflated, it tends to force the foam tube against the sleeve of reinforcing material, facilitating a close, relatively uniform fit. As well, this inflation tensions the sleeve, enhancing energy absorption of the collar and reducing the likelihood that irregularities in the outer surface of the sleeve will cause damage to it.

[0011] In some other embodiments of the collars, the foam material may abut or be adjacent to the inflatable bladder, but not necessarily circumscribe it, within the sleeve-like reinforcing material or other cover. Additional reinforcement or anti-ballistic protection may be provided intermediate the foam material and bladder within the cover, and the foam may be closed cell if desired. Although typically the inflatable bladder will be positioned toward the exterior of the corresponding boat, some versions of the invention permit either the foam material to be so positioned or the collar oriented so that portions of both the bladder and foam material are positioned toward the exterior. Alternatively, collars may include foam material on either or both sides of the anti-ballistic material to provide support therefor, with the inflatable bladder allowing the collars to assume varying widths depending, at least in part, on the sizes of the bladders and extent to which they are inflated. Providing buoyancy enhancement in this manner may facilitate transport of boats containing these collars in some circumstances, particularly when deflating the bladders partially or completely reduces the widths of the boats sufficiently to permit them to fit on certain trailers or within bays of certain aircraft.

[0012] Yet other embodiments include multiple nested compartments within a collar. Preferably (but not necessarily), the compartments will have elliptical cross-sections with different spacing between the foci of the ellipses. Each such compartment may be inflatable, although it alternatively may be made of or filled (partially or completely) with foam. Various compartments may be interlinked if desirable to allow fluid communication between them or isolated so as to preclude fluid communication, thus reducing possibility that deflation of one compartment would result in deflation of the isolated other compartments. Additionally, the nesting of inflatable compartments, and possible inflation of different compartments to different pressures, allows the shape of the finally-inflated collar to be varied to suit different applications.

[0013] It therefore is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide innovative collars or similar components of, typically, watercraft.

[0014] It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide collars including both foam materials and inflatable compartments.

[0015] It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide collars incorporating therein or thereon either or both of a reinforcing material and an abrasion-resistant coating.

[0016] It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide collars comprising multiple nested compartments.

[0017] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a collar assembly of the present invention shown attached to a boat.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative collar assembly of the present invention likewise shown attached to a boat.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a schematicized, cross-sectional view of a second alternative collar assembly of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 4-5 are cross-sectional views of an exemplary version of the collar assembly similar to that depicted schematically in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Illustrated in the FIG. 1 is collar assembly 10. Assembly 10 typically is designed to be tubular, with FIG. 1 showing its generally-circular cross-section. Assembly 10 need not be tubular, however, but rather may be shaped in any manner consistent with any of the objectives of the present invention.

[0023] As but one example of an alternatively-shaped structure, assembly 10 may have an elliptical cross-section instead.

[0024] Collar assembly 10 additionally is designed for attachment to hull H of a watercraft such as boat B. Acting as a fender for the boat B, in some instances assembly 10 preferably is mounted to hull H sufficiently above the static waterline as to remain above the surface of the water during normal boating operations. In other instances, assembly 10 may be mounted so as to contact the water surface during normal operations. If made of buoyant materials (as is typical) assembly 10 can, of course, provide buoyancy to hull H.

[0025] Assembly 10 can be bolted or otherwise mounted, affixed, or attached to hull H in any suitable way. As detailed in FIG. 1, embodiments of assembly 10 may comprise bladder 14, foam material 18, and sleeve 22. Additionally optionally included in assembly 10 may be a reinforcing material made, in part, of aramid or other fibers such as, but not limited to, materials manufactured under the trademark Kevlar. If present, the reinforcing material typically would be positioned intermediate sleeve 22 and foam material 18 in order to protect both the foam material 18 and bladder 14.

[0026] Usually (although not necessarily) centrally located radially within assembly 10, elongated bladder 14 is designed to be inflated with air or other suitable fluid. Accordingly, bladder 10 may connect to hose 26 or other ancillary equipment (e.g. a valving mechanism) to enable it to be inflated (and, if appropriate, deflated) after assembly 10 is formed. As well, bladder 14 may be made of any material adapted to retain whatever inflation fluid is used, including Hypalon and other air-holding materials conventionally used for standard inflatable marine collars.

[0027] Surrounding substantially all of bladder 14 in some embodiments of assembly 10 is foam material 18. Typically tubular with a hollow core (as detailed in FIG. 1), material 18 may be made of EVA, PVC, or any appropriate foam, although polyethylene presently is preferred. Such foam preferably is closed cell, however, to minimize the likelihood of its absorbing water should the surface of sleeve 22 be penetrated or breached.

[0028] Foam material 18 additionally may include one or more channels to permit hose 26 or other inflation-related equipment to be accessible outside assembly 10. Likewise, foam material 18 need not always surround substantially all of bladder 14, although its doing so usually will be advantageous, particularly in preventing penetration of bladder 14 by a foreign object outside boat B. Alternatively, foam material 18 may achieve this objective by surrounding at least the portions of bladder 14—typically those furthest from hull H—most likely to encounter a foreign object.

[0029] Detailed also in FIG. 1 is covering or sleeve 22 designed to envelope some or substantially all of foam material 18. One embodiment of sleeve 22 comprises fabric coated with polyurethane; unlike some existing foam collar assemblies, therefore, the foam material itself need not be coated. As a result, potential delamination of the foam and coating can be avoided. Additionally, so coating sleeve 22 assists it in resisting damage, particularly from abrasion, when boat B is docked or in use. Other embodiments of sleeve 22 may be uncoated or coated with coatings other than polyurethane, such coatings including but not being limited to Hypalon and PVC.

[0030] For added strength and damage resistance for assembly 10, a layer of relatively-flexible fibrous material may be included, typically intermediate sleeve 22 and foam material 18. One such flexible material may be a layer of Kevlar. In addition to providing enhanced strength, the layer may also inhibit projectiles from penetrating assembly 10 sufficient to deflate bladder 14.

[0031] Because foam material 18 surrounds some or substantially all of bladder 14, inflating bladder 14 forces its outer wall 30 against the inner core 34 of material 18. Similarly, because foam material 18 is only partially deformable, inflating bladder 14 forces the outer surface 38 of material 18 against sleeve 22 (or any intermediate reinforcing material), thus effectively tensioning assembly 10. This tensioning itself is advantageous, not only permitting the exterior surface 42 of sleeve 22 to be more uniform in appearance, but also likely reducing the opportunity for any slack in sleeve 22 to be snagged or caught (and thereby damaged). By contrast, merely deflating bladder 14 can de-tension assembly 10, facilitating removal of either or both of material 18 and bladder 14 from within sleeve 22 for replacement or repair.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will recognize that multiple assemblies 10 may be used in connection with a single boat B and that multiple bladders 14 (or other inflatable compartments) may exist within a single assembly 10. More than one foam material 18 similarly may be utilized as part of assembly 10, and sleeve 22 may be sectioned or configured differently than as shown in FIG. 1 (and indeed may be a simple cover or coating rather than a sleeve). Yet additionally, for example, foam material 18 need not have an annular cross-section, and neither bladder 14 nor core 34 need have a circular cross-section.

[0033] Depicted in FIG. 2 is an alternative collar assembly 100. Like assembly 10, assembly 100 usually is tubular, with FIG. 2 showing its generally (but not necessarily) circular cross-section. Again like assembly 10, assembly 100 may be attached to boat B in any appropriate manner.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, assembly 100 may comprise bladder 114, foam material 118, and outer skin, cover, or sleeve 122. Because bladder 114 typically will be inflated with air or other fluid in use, assembly 100 additionally may include hose 126 and any ancillary components necessary to permit inflation (and perhaps deflation) of the bladder 114. Assembly 100 also may, if desired, include reinforcing material 128, illustrated in FIG. 2 as interposed between bladder 114 and foam material 118 within sleeve 122. Reinforcing material 128 in some embodiments may provide anti-ballistic protection and, as noted earlier, may be made in whole or part of aramid fibers or other suitable materials (including, but again not limited to, those manufactured under the trademark Kevlar).

[0035] Detailed in FIG. 2 is that foam material 118, rather than circumscribing some or all of bladder 114, is adjacent to or abuts the bladder 114 within sleeve 122. Material 118 preferably is closed cell and may be made of EVA, PVC, or any suitable foam. Similar to bladder 14, bladder 114 may be made of Hypalon or other material capable of retaining inflation fluid. As depicted in FIG. 2, material 118 may have substantially semi-circular cross-section, as may bladder 114 (at least when inflated). When positioned in the manner shown in FIG. 2, with their respective faces 129A and 129B adjacent, bladder 114 and material 118 collectively may have generally circular cross-section. Fuller inflation of bladder 114 hence serves to tension assembly 100, much as inflation of bladder 14 tensions assembly 10 of FIG. 1. Lesser inflation (or deflation) of bladder 114, by contrast, effectively decreases the width of assembly 100, facilitating transport of boat B particularly on certain trailers or in certain aircraft.

[0036] Although FIG. 2 illustrates bladder 114 as being positioned further to the exterior of boat B than is foam material 118, components of assembly 100 may be oriented differently than shown in FIG. 2. Positions of bladder 114 and material 118 could, for example, be reversed, so that a projectile launched from outside (and toward) boat B would have to pass through sleeve 122, foam material 118, and optional reinforcing material 128 before reaching bladder 114. Alternatively, bladder 114 and foam material 118 could be rotated within sleeve 122 (or assembly 100 rotated relative to boat B) so that a portion of each is far to the exterior of boat B within sleeve 122. Yet alternatively, either foam material 118 or bladder 114 could be present on both sides of reinforcing material 128 if appropriate or desired.

[0037]FIG. 3 illustrates, somewhat schematically, aspects of another collar assembly 200. Although typically tubular, assembly 200 advantageously has elliptical (rather than circular) cross-section in use and is formed of multiple nested compartments 204, three of which (204A-C) are shown in FIG. 3. Those skilled in the art will recognize that fewer or greater numbers of compartments 204 may be utilized instead. Regardless of the number of compartments 204, however, nesting them in this manner allows the shape of assembly 200 to be varied to suit different applications.

[0038] In the version of assembly 200 depicted in FIG. 3, the foci of the elliptical cross-section of compartment 204A are more closely spaced than are the foci of the elliptical cross-section of compartment 204B. Likewise, the foci of the elliptical cross-section of compartment 204B are more closely spaced than are the foci of the elliptical cross-section of compartment 204C. This permits nesting of compartments 204, with compartment 204A being enclosed by compartments 204B and 204C and compartment 204B being enclosed by compartment 204C. Although complete nesting of this sort is often advantageous, partial nesting may also be useful in some circumstances. Thus, versions of assembly 200 need not necessarily completely enclose any particular compartment 204 within another. Preferably, however, compartments 204 will be positioned such that they effectively form a common wall 208 adjacent boat B.

[0039] Any or all of compartments 204 may be inflatable and, accordingly, comprise a bladder made of material impervious (or at least substantially so) to the inflation fluid. Alternatively, any or all compartments 204 may be made or (wholly or partly) filled with foam. Any inflatable compartments 204 further may be interlinked if desired to permit concurrent inflation or deflation or isolated to preclude such concurrent inflation and deflation (or interlinked at times and isolated at other times). Valves utilizing the Venturi principle further optionally may be included to facilitate rapid inflation and deflation of any inflatable compartments 204. Likewise, sleeves, coatings, reinforcing materials, inflation valves, and mounting equipment may be used with or form part of assembly 200.

[0040] FIGS. 4-5 depict an illustrative embodiment of assembly 200 attached to boat B. In this embodiment, assembly 200 includes inflatable compartments 204A-C forming common wall 208. The remainder of assembly 200 comprises foam section 212. Each compartment 204A, B, or C, when considered together with foam section 212, has a cross-section that is either circular or, preferably, more or less elliptical in shape. Alternatively, compartments 204A-C may be deemed to have semi-circular or semi-elliptical cross-sections when considered alone.

[0041]FIG. 4 shows full inflation of compartments 204A-C, with boat B having a resulting beam width designated X. FIG. 5, by contrast, illustrates compartments 204A-C in deflated condition (as, for example, for storage or transport); in such state, the beam width of boat B is designated Y, where Y is less than X (i.e. Y<X). By inflating compartments 204A-C to differing pressures, beam widths between X and Y may also be achieved. Assembly 200 thus provides variable beam width for boat B using multiple inflatable compartments 204.

[0042] Although the foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention, numerous modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Generally, in fact, any appropriate assembly combining attributes of foam and inflatable compartments, or nesting foam-filled or inflatable compartments, could in certain cases satisfactorily achieve at least some aspects of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: a. a cover; b. an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover; and c. foam material positioned within the cover adjacent at least a portion of the inflatable bladder.
 2. A structure according to claim 1 in which the cover has an interior surface and at least portions of the inflatable bladder and foam material contact the interior surface when the inflatable bladder is inflated.
 3. A structure according to claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the inflatable bladder and the foam material within the cover.
 4. A structure according to claim 2 further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the inflatable bladder and the foam material within the cover.
 5. A structure according to claim 1 in which the cover is a sleeve.
 6. A structure according to claim 3 in which the reinforcing material comprises a fibrous, antiballistic material.
 7. A structure according to claim 1 in which (a) each of the inflatable bladder and foam material has a generally flat face and (b) the inflatable bladder and foam material are positioned within the cover with their respective generally flat faces adjacent.
 8. A structure according to claim 7 further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the adjacent generally flat faces of the inflatable bladder and foam material within the cover.
 9. A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: a. a cover; b. foam material positioned within the cover; and c. means, comprising an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover, for varying the width of the structure through inflation or deflation.
 10. A watercraft comprising: a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: i. a cover; ii. an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover; and iii. foam material positioned within the cover adjacent at least a portion of the inflatable bladder.
 11. A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: a. a first compartment; and b. a second compartment (i) having a generally-elliptical cross-sectional portion in use, (ii) having an inflatable portion, and (iii) at least partially enclosing the first compartment.
 12. A structure according to claim 11 further comprising a third compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-sectional portion in use and at least partially enclosing the second compartment.
 13. A structure according to claim 11 in which the first compartment has an inflatable portion.
 14. A structure according to claim 11 in which at least one of the first and second compartments includes foam material.
 15. A structure according to claim 13 in which the inflatable portions of the first and second compartments are inflatable to different pressures.
 16. A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: a. a first compartment; b. a second compartment nested within the first compartment; and c. a third compartment nested within the second compartment.
 17. A structure according to claim 16 in which at least one of the first, second, and third compartments is inflatable.
 18. A structure according to claim 17 in which at least two of the first, second, and third compartments are inflatable.
 19. A structure according to claim 18 in which each of the first, second, and third compartments is inflatable.
 20. A watercraft comprising: a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: i. a first compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-section in use; and ii. a second compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-section in use and at least partially enclosing the first compartment.
 21. A watercraft comprising: a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: i. a first compartment; ii. a second compartment nested within the first compartment; and iii. a third compartment nested within the second compartment. 